Restaurants in Tokyo

Alamy

Many first-time visitors aren’t aware of the range of Japanese cuisine, both in region and style—there's so much more to the country’s food than sush... Read More

Many first-time visitors aren’t aware of the range of Japanese cuisine, both in region and style—there's so much more to the country’s food than sushi and ramen (though those are excellent starts). If you’re on the hunt for the best restaurants in Tokyo, you might be surprised by the diversity on offer.

At Matsukawa, you’ll eat kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine) with a special emphasis on what’s seasonal and local. For sushi lovers, Tofuya Ukai is the way to do it—ultra-fresh selections in a properly formal setting. Or head to Sushi Masuda, the Michelin-starred restaurant run by a protégé of Jiro Ono. All kinds of sea creatures, from sea urchin and crab to eel and stingray, are apt to wind up on your plate. Noodles, from ramen to soba and more, abound. Get them at Tokyo Ramen Street, where eight of the city’s most famous ramen houses are gathered in Tokyo Station. Sample teppanyaki—grilled specialties like beef and lobster—at Omotesando Ukaitei, which is set in a luxe former merchant’s house. Don’t leave without experiencing Tokyo’s cafe culture at Nomin Cafe, which serves organic, local food or Bear Pond Espresso, both of which can be found in the up-and-coming Shimokitazawa neighborhood.